Attachable Anemometer for Firearm

ABSTRACT

An anemometer capable of attachable mounting on a firearm or airgun for the measurement of prevailing winds and other relevant environmental factors. Wind vector information, positional information, and environmental information is collected and relayed to a user interface or external device to aid the marksman in targeting.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an anemometer mounted on a firearm or airgun for the measurement of prevailing winds and other relevant environmental factors. The prior art in this field largely comprises handheld devices that are prone to user error, such as not being able to measure close to the barrel or not being consistently aligned with the barrel axis because it is physically separate from the firearm. In addition, they often require the marksman to look away from the scope and has other inconveniences associated with an additional device. The present invention addresses the need for an attached, compact solution that can deliver accurate wind and environmental information.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF TIME INVENTION

Herein disclosed is an anemometer mounted on a firearm for the measurement of prevailing winds to aid the marksman in targeting and aiming. The anemometer is mounted close to the barrel and can determine wind speed and a range of direction. A gyroscope determines the pitch, roll, and yaw of the firearm as it is positioned, such as on a tripod. Other environmental variables, such as pressure, temperature, and humidity can also be measured. Information is measured and transmitted via Bluetooth technology or other short-range data-transmission protocols to other devices such as gun scopes, smart phones, watches, tablets, and computers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the anemometer mounted on a rifle in its environment.

FIG. 2 is a close-up perspective view of the anemometer along with its protective cap.

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the anemometer.

FIG. 313 is a rear view of the anemometer showing the position of the antenna.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the anemometer mounted on a rifle configured with variable pitch.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the anemometer mounted on a rifle, operating in an environment with prevailing winds.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The drawings herein depict the various embodiments of a firearm-mounted anemometer device and the components of the device; the manner in which they can be attached to firearms, and a system diagram identifying components and their specifications.

FIG. 1 depicts the environment in which the anemometer 100 is mounted in its environment. The device is preferably mounted via a picatinny rail 101 or any suitable attachment mechanism, such as a Magpul MOE slot-rail, to a firearm body 102. In a preferred embodiment, the anemometer will be mounted in a direction parallel to the bore axis of barrel 103.

FIG. 2 is a close-up view of the anemometer with the protective cap 201 removed. An anemometer fan 202 and a wind vane 203 is rotatably mounted via rotor 205 to rotor arms 204. The fan collects wind speed data while the vane orients the fan into the prevailing wind. A firearm adapter 207 is attached to the housing and is swappable with any suitable adapter to secure the anemometer to the firearm or airgun body. An exemplary embodiment, as shown, is an adapter for use with a picatinny rail. The protective cap 201 covers the fan, wind vane, and rotors by rotatably attaching to the main housing via preformed tabs on the cap.

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional of the anemometer showing the internal mechanism. The rotor sensor 302 is vertically disposed within the rotor 205, and is adapted to collect wind directional data from the fan 202 and vane 203. In combination with the fan, wind vector information is transmitted electronically to the main housing and to an interior cavity 303. The cavity 303 is insulated from the environment and houses sensitive electronic components. The cavity is large enough to fit at least one AA-sized battery 305 although any suitable power source, such as coin cells or rechargeable cells, may be employed.

The cavity shall additionally house at least a 3-axis gyroscope that can detect pitch, roll, and yaw; control electronics such as a circuit board; at least one environmental sensor capable of collecting environmental information such as air pressure, temperature, and humidity.

A rear cover 310 allows access to the cavity and is rotatably secured to the main housing. The protective cap is secured to the main housing 206 by lining up the tabs with the slots and rotating the cap.

FIG. 3B is a rear view of the anemometer showing arrangement of particular components located within the housing. A radio transceiver 304 is located within the cavity and mounted at any suitable location. In one embodiment, a Bluetooth module may be mounted on the interior wall of the main housing, and any suitable radio communication component in place of or additional to Bluetooth may be employed. An antenna 307 is preferably arranged against the interior wall across the length of the antenna. The rear cover 310 is shown in its secured position. The profile of the firearm adapter 207 (shown as suitable for a picatinny rail) is located above the anemometer.

FIG. 4 shows the various positional measurements that the anemometer can collect in addition to wind vector information. The firearm barrel 103 is illustrated as having a certain pitch (uphill or downhill) to aim at the target. This pitch 401 may vary from the horizon by any number of degrees with the barrel illustrated in dashed lines. A yaw (the compass direction to which barrel/anemometer points to), not shown, can be measured via a magnetic compass or other means. In addition, the firearm itself may have a roll (tilt to the left or right) because of the terrain or bipod/tripod mounting issues. Tilt information may be used to calibrate the wind vector information (as the anemometer cannot rotate according to a tilt axis) to provide an offset which will result in more accurate readings. The gyroscope is adapted to detect these positional factors and report them to the electronics.

FIG. 5 is a bottom-view of the anemometer as mounted and shows a swivel range of the fan and vane. Here, prevailing winds form an angle 502 that is offset from the direction of the barrel (as will be true in the vast majority of use cases). The anemometer is adapted to report this angle to the electronics. The anemometer may not be able to read certain wind angles properly when they come from behind the marksman, as shown. In an exemplary embodiment, this “wind blindness” angle may be up to 80 degrees. Measurable wind angles will be at least 140 degrees from either side of the marksman.

All publications and patent applications cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically, and individually, indicated to be incorporated by reference.

While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. An anemometer adapted for use with a firearm or airgun, comprising: a fan; a wind vane; a rotor; a rotor sensor; a main housing; and a firearm adapter.
 2. The anemometer of claim 1, further comprising: a protective cap capable of being rotatably secured to the main housing.
 3. The anemometer of claim 1, wherein: the fan is adapted to collect wind speed data; the wind vane is adapted to orient the fan in the direction of prevailing winds; the rotor is a pivot that allows the fan to swivel; and the rotor sensor is adapted to collect wind directional data.
 4. The anemometer of claim 1, wherein: the firearm adapter secures the main housing to an attachment location on a firearm or airgun, and the firearm adapter is swappable.
 5. The anemometer of claim 1, additionally comprising: a cavity firmed by internal walls of the main housing; and a rear cover capable of being rotatably secured to the main housing.
 6. The anemometer of claim 5, additionally comprising: a power source; a radio transceiver; an antenna; a 3-axis gyroscope; control electronics; and one or more environment sensors.
 7. The anemometer of claim 6, wherein: the antenna or the radio transceiver is mounted along the walls of the cavity.
 8. The anemometer of claim 6, wherein wind directional data can be measured at least 140 degrees from either side of the marksman.
 9. The anemometer of claim 6, wherein: positional and environmental information is collected and reported to a user interface or a linked device.
 10. The anemometer of claim 9, wherein positional information comprises pitch, yaw, and roll of the firearm barrel.
 11. The anemometer of claim 9, wherein environmental information comprises ambient air pressure, temperature, and humidity. 